SOURCE AUDIO Soundblox 2 Multiwave Distortion Pedal

Designed for electric guitarists, the Source Audio Soundblox 2 Multiwave Distortion Pedal takes many of the timbres offered by the original, larger Soundblox Multiwave Distortion stompbox and shrinks it down in a more compact, cast-aluminum housing. 23 distortion effects are provided, as is a clean boost for utilizing the pedal’s extensive tonal parameters without seeking extra gain (a particularly suitable feature for clean lead breaks and solos). Sounds can be saved in two user presets, both of which can be engaged with the dual footswitches, which also allow you to bypass the effects completely, or to save edited presets and store them in the pedal’s memory. With a three-level noise gate, distortions segmented into various categories, and three different methods of external control, the stompbox gives you the ability to craft a wide array of tones.

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SOURCE AUDIO Soundblox 2 Multiwave Distortion Pedal

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SOURCE AUDIO Multiwave Distortion Overview

1Description

2Key Features at a Glance

3Controls at a Glance:

4Distortion Types

5External Control Possibilities

6Morphing Possibilities

Designed for electric guitarists, the Source Audio Soundblox 2 Multiwave Distortion Pedal takes many of the timbres offered by the original, larger Soundblox Multiwave Distortion stompbox and shrinks it down in a more compact, cast-aluminum housing. 23 distortion effects are provided, as is a clean boost for utilizing the pedal’s extensive tonal parameters without seeking extra gain (a particularly suitable feature for clean lead breaks and solos). Sounds can be saved in two user presets, both of which can be engaged with the dual footswitches, which also allow you to bypass the effects completely, or to save edited presets and store them in the pedal’s memory. With a three-level noise gate, distortions segmented into various categories, and three different methods of external control, the stompbox gives you the ability to craft a wide array of tones.

The pedal sports multi-band and single-band distortions. In multi-band, the input signal is split into 10 discrete frequency bands, with each one distorted independently and recombined at the output signal. Single-band processing mimics more traditional analog distortion effects. These two processes are further segmented into three genres: "Normal" for more traditional distortion within each category, "Foldback" for synth-like, aggressive fuzz distortions, and "Octave," which elicits unconventional harmonic saturation an octave above the notes you’re playing. Thus, the pedal can provide a plethora of possibilities for your pedal rig. A DC power supply is included with the pedal.

Multi-Function Input: Here you’ll find a multi-purpose control input for use with Hot Hand, expression pedal, or MIDI.

Controls at a Glance:

SUSTAIN: Adjusts input gain to the front-end compressor.

DRIVE: Controls the amount of distortion gain applied to the signal.

TONE: Cuts or boosts the selected TONE SHAPE (Treble, Mid, or Bass).

OUTPUT: Adjusts the output level of the effect.

EFFECT KNOB: Selects the type of distortion.

NOISE GATE: Controls the noise gate threshold level.

FOOTSWITCHES: Enables/disables a preset depending on the selected footswitch; press and hold to save an edited preset.

Distortion Types

MULTI-BAND NORMAL 0–3: These four settings are best for maximum clarity of the individual notes in a chord. These distortion curves are similar to conventional distortions.

MULTI-BAND FOLDBACK 4–9: The use of foldback in these settings creates more extreme distortion sounds. The higher-numbered effects have more foldback creating even more distortion. Power chords will work well with these modes.

MULTI-BAND OCTAVE 10–14: Settings 10 and 11 give the purest octave effect. Settings 12 through 14 also have foldback and can elicit unconventional tones. The responsivity of these modes all you to dial down the guitar volume knob for a different range of sounds.

SINGLE-BAND FOLDBACK 17–19: With the entire guitar signal processed through a single foldback distortion curve, there will be much more intermodulation-type distortion produced. Long sustained notes and unison bends work well in these modes.

SINGLE-BAND OCTAVE 20–22: 20 is the purest single-band octave effect, while 21 and 22 include some foldback.

CLEAN BOOST This setting bypasses the Drive knob and will not provide any distortion. The Tone and Output knobs still apply although there is no compression. The most common use for this setting is to have a preset that gives you clean signal boost with some tonal adjustment. This is also useful for when you want to morph from a clean sound to a distorted sound using an expression pedal.

External Control Possibilities

A 4-pole 3.5mm input allows you to access an intelligent control system that can accept both digital and analog control signals. The Multi-Function input replaces the Sensor Input on previous Soundblox pedals. The Multi-Function input can connect to wired or wireless Hot Hand accessories, a Source Audio Expression Pedal, or compatible Source Audio MIDI interfaces that enable full MIDI I/O access to the pedal.

Morphing Possibilities

The Multi-Function control input can be used to morph between the two presets. For example, let's consider preset 1 to be a normal multi-band setting and preset 2 to be multi-band octave setting. By connecting an SA161 Expression Pedal, you can fade from the preset 1 into the octave effect saved in preset 2 by rocking the expression pedal from heel to toe. As you fade between the sounds, the two footswitch LEDs will change brightness depending on where you are in the transition. Morphing is not a crossfade between two sounds, but rather a gradual shift between all of the individual parameters. Thus, the middle of expression pedal range is truly an "in-between" sound. There are 276 possible pair combinations of sounds, and some will sound better than others. Some obvious applications are morphing from clean to distorted sounds, low drive settings to high drive settings, changes in volume, etc.